Charts Don't Lie: September 16th

Weekly review of the Hip-Hop and R&B sales/charts.

In an effort to keep these charts honest let us begin by
further exposing how they could be everything but. Last week the issue of
Weighted Sales was brought to light, this week Payola will be illuminated. The
contraction between “pay” and “Victrola” (an early 20th century
phonograph), relates to the music industries illegal pay-for-play habits. For
over one hundred years artists and their labels have been purchasing airtime.
In 1960 this action was made illegal, but this didn’t stop individuals like
Clive Davis. Neither has it stopped the four major record companies currently
controlling the market. They now use
independent intercessors to do their dirty work, keeping their own hands clean.
That said, such corrupt behavior is also the only reason that many important
acts ever get attention. It’s an intricate and unsettling affair that requires
more attention, for now let us turn ours to the charts:

1) Lecrae
– Gravity: This man of God debuted
with a blessed 70,490 albums sold. Furthermore, he captured the number 3 spot
on Billboard’s 200, an outstanding feat considering the competition from other
genres this week.

5) Frank
Ocean – Channel Orange: Back in the
limelight at last Frankie does so with 15,770 units sold. As Billboard’s greatest
gainer of the week the crooner has a lot celebrate, as well as fans to thank.

Important to note Slaughterhouse, with only 12,588 albums
sold in their second week, went from number one to out of the top 5 altogether.
A disappointing drop to say the least, but with the fickle nature of their fan-base
in mind it comes as no surprise. Another point of interest is Kanye’stweet
from earlier this week. Therein he released a picture of a chart showing the
GOOD Music song “Clique” at number one. Whether on iTunes or any other digital
network there is nothing to verify this, and they say these charts lie. Trust
that they don’t, and trust that the insight into this industry will continue
next Sunday.